a little specious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a little specious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an argument or reasoning that seems plausible but is actually misleading or deceptive, often in a subtle way. Example: "His explanation for the sudden price increase was a little specious, lacking any real evidence to support his claims."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The mission seems a little specious now, but I don't mind having something to do.

The New Yorker

The movie is lovely looking, but frankly a little specious and shallow.

The Guardian - Film

Since the abrasive behavior of Hershel, played by Mr. Biggs, tends to indicate colossal bad manners more powerfully than spiritual enlightenment, the character's deployment as a catalyst is more than a little specious.

The New York Times

"You" also addresses the reader, however, and after a while it makes you feel a little specious - like a new in-law at a family gathering, it is as though you are being given a history that is not quite your own.

The Guardian - Books

On the surface this argument might be a little specious – after all, cats are pretty cool – but what is Asus really saying?

TechCrunch

But his interview with Ed Snowden was yet another in a long, long line of deferential, uninformed, unchallenging genuflections before a guy whose story and motivations are more than a little specious.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Only it turns out that Mr. Frey's memoir might be more accurately titled "A Million Little Specious Pieces".

The New York Times

But first, a little background on the term: "Love Jihad' is a specious and fictional BJP Bharatiya Janata Partyy, Modi's party, allied to the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, RSS, the Hindu right wing affiliate mobilisational organisation of the BJP, ) and RSS-inspired moral panic.

Huffington Post

Mr Biggs was arrested, convicted and sent to prison for 30 years the trial judge described him as a "specious and facile liar".Mr Biggs's second claim to fame is a little more amusing.

The Economist

While there are specious arguments about the exact location of the county boundary, these are merely marketing sophistry by a university that wants to be a little posher than the name Coventry might suggest.

The Guardian

In short, how long is a typical specious present?

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a little specious" when you want to convey that something appears valid or truthful on the surface, but closer examination reveals it to be misleading or based on flawed reasoning. It is best used to describe arguments, claims, or explanations.

Common error

Avoid using "a little specious" when you want to express strong disagreement or certainty that something is false. The phrase implies a degree of subtlety and superficial plausibility, not outright falsehood. If something is obviously wrong, a stronger term is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a little specious" functions as an adjectival modifier, specifically an adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun, indicating that something appears valid but is, in fact, questionable or misleading. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a little specious" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes something that seems plausible on the surface but is, in reality, misleading or deceptive. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Appearing mostly in news and media, the phrase functions as an adjectival modifier expressing skepticism or doubt with a neutral to formal register. Related phrases include "somewhat misleading" and "slightly deceptive". Use "a little specious" when a subtle form of deception or flawed reasoning is suspected, and avoid it when stronger, more direct terms are needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

somewhat misleading

This alternative conveys a similar sense of deceptiveness, but it directly focuses on the misleading quality rather than the initial appearance of plausibility.

slightly deceptive

Similar to "somewhat misleading", this phrase highlights the deceptive aspect, implying a mild level of trickery.

a bit questionable

This phrase focuses on the uncertainty or doubt surrounding something, rather than explicitly stating it's deceptive.

rather dubious

This suggests uncertainty or hesitation about the truth or validity of something.

somewhat suspect

This alternative places emphasis on the object of evaluation being potentially untrustworthy or questionable.

a touch misleading

Similar to "somewhat misleading", this emphasizes a minor or subtle level of deception.

marginally fallacious

This term directly addresses the presence of flawed reasoning or logic, which may not be immediately apparent.

slightly implausible

This phrase indicates that something is not entirely believable or likely, which may hint at deception.

a tad disingenuous

This alternative suggests a lack of honesty or sincerity, implying a deliberate attempt to mislead or deceive.

somewhat specious

This alternative shortens the original expression and is slightly more formal.

FAQs

How can I use "a little specious" in a sentence?

You can use "a little specious" to describe something that seems plausible initially but is actually misleading or deceptive. For example, "His argument was "a little specious" because it relied on outdated data".

What are some alternatives to "a little specious"?

Alternatives to "a little specious" include "somewhat misleading", "slightly deceptive", or "a bit questionable". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "a little specious" or simply "specious"?

Using "a little specious" softens the criticism, suggesting that something is only partially or slightly misleading. "Specious" alone is a stronger assertion. The choice depends on the degree of deception you want to imply.

What's the difference between "a little specious" and "outright false"?

"A little specious" implies a superficial plausibility that masks an underlying flaw or deception. "Outright false" indicates something is completely untrue with no basis in reality. "A little specious" suggests subtlety, while "outright false" is a direct contradiction.